Text 2 Mind Map

Text 2 Mind Map http://www.text2mindmap.com/  



Another mind mapping tool, but with a twist . This tool has the user enter an outline of ideas, with indentations on the outline determining the maps relationship structure.  Once the map is produced, the creator has color font and placement options.  And it can all be saved as a jpg, like this:

If you like outlines, this may be the tool for you .

Classroom use: A nice tool for cause and effect review.

Dropbox

https://www.dropbox.com

Dropbox is software that is resident on your computer, but that stores your files in the "cloud". Even better it syncs your files online and across your computers.  So if you change a file in dropbox. it'll  be changed  everywhere you have dropboxes.  Free service allows saving up to 2GB.  

Classroom idea:  This could be a great tool for students working on projects, because changes would be immediate.  I like the idea that the dropbox is resident on your computer ( or as an app on smartphone), because I have noticed this is "comforting" and a familiar way to save.

McGuinn’s Folk Den

McGuinn’s Folk Den
http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden-wp/



Very nice source of folk music, both the lyrics and an audiofile. Includes a bit of the history of the music as well. And licensed under creative commons for Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.  for easy sharing.

EmbedPlus

 

http://embedplus.com/

This tool lets you clip and annotate videos VERY easily. I did this in less than a minute.

Classroom Idea : Wow, so many of them. Language learners can translate videos, or at least key moments in them.  History learners can add content or opinions.

Thanks to Jane Knight 

History for Music Lovers

History for Music Lovers
http://www.youtube.com/user/historyteachers#g/u

Classroom ideas : Clever video parodies, great for history. Useful as introductions to units. Students could also create their own.

Reflections on being an Echo Chamber:  

I discovered this tool came from Joyce Valenza 's NeverEndingSearch http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch .  I get many great ideas from her and other tech and ed blog writers. In fact that is where I get all my tools.  It has surprised me how creative I feel in using and presenting to others these tools when I know I did not make or discover them.  At best I am a fourth or fifth level echo-er.  But I take heart in my echoes, because I hope they aid the teachers and students I work with every day,  And my small echoing  transforms these tools into new uses.  Maybe this is how being a grandparent feels :)